Development Director - Donor Growth & Campaigns

Outdoor Recreation Alliance (ORA Trails); La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ORA Trails in La Crosse, WI seeks an energetic Development Director to lead philanthropic growth and external relations. You will move donor engagement from cultivation to commitment, drive annual and capital campaigns, and oversee grants and donor systems.

The role partners with the Executive Director to achieve board-approved revenue goals and to advance ORA Trails’ mission through strategic fundraising, events, and communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, business, public administration, or related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive fundraising/ development experience with demonstrated revenue goals.
• Experience with major gifts, capital campaigns, corporate sponsorships, grants, events, donor stewardship, CRM/donor databases.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual fundraising plans in partnership with the Executive Director and maintain a donor/prospect portfolio of 75–125 relationships.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and sponsors; lead campaigns, major gifts, recurring giving, and planned giving initiatives.
• Lead capital campaign fundraising, including strategy, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and reporting; manage Community Trail Farm fundraising.
• Oversee corporate sponsorship acquisition and management; coordinate partner relationships with senior leadership.
• Lead grant research, writing, submission, tracking, and reporting; align program/budget info with staff.
• Coordinate donor appreciation events and donor-community activities, with support from staff.
• Equip Executive Director and Board for donor introductions and solicitations while Board governance remains with the Executive Director.

Skills

Relationship building

Fundraising strategy

Donor stewardship

Major gifts

Capital campaigns

CRM management

Storytelling

Project management

Communication

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

ORA Trails in La Crosse, WI seeks an energetic Development Director to lead philanthropic growth and external relations. You will move donor engagement from cultivation to commitment, drive annual and capital campaigns, and oversee grants and donor systems.

The role partners with the Executive Director to achieve board-approved revenue goals and to advance ORA Trails’ mission through strategic fundraising, events, and communications.